Miniature rose plant named `Ruibleu`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named Ruibleu, characterized by its large lavender pink flowers; numerous flowers per plant; freely branching plant habit; and long shelf-life.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theminiature rose class, botanically known as Rosa hybrida, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Ruibleu.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop compact pot rose varieties with gardenperformance that can be asexually reproduced by cuttings. The newcultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in 1991 of twounnamed proprietary seedlings. The cultivar Ruibleu was discovered andselected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross in a controlled environment in Hazerswoude, TheNetherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cuttings taken atHazerswoude, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of thisnew miniature rose plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of Ruibleu. These characteristics incombination distinguish the new miniature rose plant as a new anddistinct cultivar:

1. Large lavender pink flowers.

2. Numerous flowers per plant.

3. Freely branching plant habit.

4. Long shelf-life.

The new miniature rose plant has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate typical specimens of thevegetative growth and flowers of the new miniature rose plant, showingthe colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in coloredreproductions of this type. The first photograph comprises a sideperspective view of a typical plant of the new miniature rose plantgrown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands. The second photograph comprisesdetails of the new miniature rose plant. In this photograph the top of ayoung shoot (1); a leaf with three leaflets (2); a leaf with fiveleaflets (3); a leaf with seven leaflets (4); a stem with prickles (5);a flower bud after sepals open (6); a flower bud after petals begin tounfurl (7); a flower one-third to one-half open (8); a flower fully open(9); a flower stem with sepals, stamens and pistils 10); a flower stemwith sepals and pistils (11); a flower stem with pistils only (12); anda spray of one flower and three flower buds (13) are shown. The flowercolor in both photographs appears more pink than the actual flower colordue to light reflectance.

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands, under glasscovering with average day temperatures of 20° C., average nighttemperatures of 16° to 18° C., and an average light level of 2,000J/cm².

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida cultivar Ruibleu.

Commercial.--Miniature pot rose.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Female or seed parent.--Unnamed proprietary seedling.

Plant description:

Form.--Rounded form, uniform, and spreading.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous, yet compact. Freely branching, densegrowth. Suitable for 10-cm containers. Time to produce a finished plantin a 10-cm container 20 to 30 cm in height is generally 10 to 12 weeksdepending on average temperature, light level, and cultural practices.

Stem and lateral branches.--Quantity of lateral branches from pinching:Generally three. Length of lateral branches: 1 to 5 cm. Color: 143C.

Foliage description.--Leaves arranged alternately, compound with threeto seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat inaspect. Stipules at leaf base. Quantity: Five to eight per lateralbranch. Leaflet size: Length: 2 to 3.5 cm. Width: 1.2 to 1.6 cm. Shape:Ovate with acute tip and obtuse base. Texture: Smooth and leathery.Margin: Serrate. Petiole length: 1 cm. Color: Young foliage, upper side:147B with 46A at margin. Young foliage, under side: 147D with 46A atmargin. Mature foliage, upper side: 137B with 46A at margin. Maturefoliage, under side: 138B with 46A at margin. Petiole: 143C. Stipule:143C. Venation, upper side: Not distinctive. Venation, under side: 143C.

Prickles.--Located on petioles and stems. Length: Immature: 0.1 cm.Mature: 0.3 cm. Color: Immature: 145A. Mature: 145A.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large lavender-pink flowers. Consistentlysymmetrical rosette flowers that are flat in aspect. Freely andcontinuously flowering. The flowers are borne singly on peduncles andarranged in clusters of up to nine flowers each. There are numeroussprays per plant.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimalflowering during summer and autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

Flower diameter.--2 to 4 cm.

Flower depth (height).--1 cm.

Flower longevity on plant.--20 days.

Fragrance.--Slight.

Persistent.--Yes.

Flower buds.--Shape: Ovoid. Size: Length: 2 cm. Width: 1 cm. Color:143C.

Petals.--Quantity: At least 40 per flower. Arrangement: Eight rows ofpetals with five petals each. Size: Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 0.5 to 1 cm.Shape: Ovate with obtuse tip. Texture: Smooth and satiny. Margin:Entire. Color: When opening: 67B. Upper side, mature: 75A. Under side,mature: 75C. Fade: Upper and under sides fade to 75D.

Petaloids.--Quantity: At least 30 per flower. Arrangement: Six rows ofpetals with five petaloids each. Size: Length: 0.2 to 0.6 cm. Width: 0.1to 0.3 cm. Shape: Ovate with obtuse tip. Texture: Smooth and satiny.Margin: Entire. Color: Immature: 61B with white base. Mature: 62A withwhite base.

Sepals.--Quantity: Five per flower. Arrangement: One row with fivesepals. Shape: Lanceolate with acute tip. Color: Upper side: 138C. Underside: 143C.

Calyx.--Size: Almost inconspicuous. Color: 143A.

Peduncles.--Strong and erect, pubescent. Length: 5.5 cm. Color: 143A.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Quantity: 40 to 50 per flower. Anthersize: 0.1 to 0.2 cm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color: 22A. Pistils:Quantity: 30 to 50 per flower. Style length: 0.5 cm. Stigma color: 154C.

Disease resistance: No resistance or susceptibility observed.

Seed production: Seed production is rarely observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct miniature rose plant named Ruibleu, as illustrated and described. 